Everyone who is not acting according to his words is not...

Everyone who is not acting according to his words is not praying sincerely and in its real sense. It is mere wordplay. It is false to say a thousand times: “O God! O the Most Merciful one! Have mercy on me during my first night in grave.” He is lying. If mercy is a nice thing and if he wants it, why he himself does not have this virtue? Why are you not kind to your wife and children? Why do you not have mercy on your friend? Why do you not help a weak person?

This shows that, really, you do not want mercy. Only your tongue says so. It is same about saying: Pardon! You always say, “My God, pardon me.” You say in your night prayer, “O Lord! Pardon my sins. Forgive my evil deeds.” Is forgiving good or bad? You will say, “By God! It is very good.” Then why did you not do it yourself? Today, they came to you for making peace. Why did you become tough and stubborn?

If God has ordered to make peace He has also commanded that an offer of peace making also should be responded to. The command applies to both the parties at dispute. If someone comes to you to make peace, you have no right to turn away your face. It is incumbent on you to accept his excuse, even if you know that he is not telling the truth. If you do not respond positively to him, you have deprived yourself of the Prophet ‘s intercession.

There are two instances wherein the Holy Prophet has quite clearly said that his intercession is not available. Woe unto the one who missed this great reward. He is the one who did not accept the excuse of a peacemaker. Another unfortunate fellow is the one who considered prayer light (of less value).[^2] God accepts repentance Responsibilities put on Muslims by Islam are also reciprocal.